How to Make Delicious Nacho Cheese Sauce at Home

Everyone loves nacho cheese sauce! Whether you are watching a game or hosting a party, this delicious sauce can add some extra flavor to any snack. Making your own cheese sauce at home may seem intimidating, but it is actually very simple and easy to do. In this article, we will show you how to make nacho cheese sauce in just a few easy steps.

To start, you will need some basic ingredients like milk, butter, flour, and of course, cheese. You can use any type of cheese that you prefer, but cheddar cheese is the most common option. You can also add some extra spices or hot sauce to give your cheese sauce some extra flavor. So, grab your ingredients and let’s get started on making this delicious cheese sauce!

Ingredients Needed

Making nacho cheese sauce can be a very easy process if you have the right ingredients and measurements. Listed below are the things that you would need to make a perfect cheese sauce.

Cheese

Cheese is the backbone of any good nacho cheese sauce. Generally, cheddar cheese or a mixture of cheddar and monterey jack cheese is used to make the sauce. You can also use processed cheese like Velveeta which is rich in creaminess and melts faster. A 2:1 ratio of cheddar to Monterrey Jack cheese is perfect for melting, and it ensures a smooth sauce.

Corn Starch

Cornstarch is used to thicken the sauce, and you would only need a small amount of it. It should be added to the cheese while it’s melting to help achieve the desired consistency. If you don’t have cornstarch, flour can be a good substitute.

Milk

Milk is used as a base for the cheese sauce. You can use any type of milk, and it should be added gradually to the melted cheese mixture to achieve the desired consistency of the sauce.

Butter

Butter adds flavor to the cheese sauce and helps in thinning the sauce if it’s too thick while cooking. You can use unsalted or salted butter depending on your preference.

Spices

Spices like cumin, chili powder, and paprika can be added to the cheese sauce to give it that zingy flavor it needs. Different varieties of spices can be added to your cheese sauce based on the recipe you are following for added flavor.

Jalapeños

If you’re a fan of spicy food, you can add a generous amount of diced jalapenos to your cheese sauce. This is an excellent opportunity to play around with the ingredients and come up with a unique recipe.

Hot Sauce

To spice up your cheese sauce, you can add a generous amount of hot sauce. It pairs well with nachos and gives it more of a kick.

Salt and Pepper

Salt adds flavor to the sauce, and pepper adds a slightly spicy taste to the cheese sauce. This combination of salt and pepper works well with all different types of cheese.

Garlic

Garlic is optional, but it gives the cheese sauce that unique flavor that everyone loves. You can add minced garlic to the butter while melting it so that the garlic flavor can be infused into the butter.

Sour Cream

If you want to make the cheese sauce creamier, you can add sour cream to it. This would be the last ingredient you add to the sauce, and you can add it based on the consistency you want to achieve for your cheese sauce.

Now that we’ve gone through the ingredients needed, the next step is to learn how to make the perfect nacho cheese sauce.

Choosing the Right Cheese

When it comes to making nacho cheese sauce, choosing the right cheese is essential. The cheese you use will make or break the taste of your sauce, so it’s important to choose one that complements the other ingredients.

1. Cheddar Cheese: This is the most common type of cheese used to make nacho cheese sauce. It has a sharp, tangy flavor that pairs well with the other ingredients. You can either use pre-shredded cheddar cheese or shred it yourself.

2. Colby Cheese: Colby cheese is another good option for nacho cheese sauce. It has a mild flavor that won’t overpower the other ingredients.

3. Monterey Jack Cheese: If you’re looking for a cheese with a milder flavor, Monterey Jack is a great choice. It melts well and has a creamy texture that works well in this recipe.

4. Pepper Jack Cheese: For those who like a little kick of spice, pepper jack cheese is a good option. It’s a combination of Monterey Jack cheese and spicy peppers, which gives it a unique flavor.

5. Queso Blanco: Queso Blanco is a creamy cheese that’s commonly used in Mexican cuisine. It has a mild flavor that won’t overpower the other ingredients in the sauce.

After you choose the cheese you want to use, make sure to shred or grate it before adding it to the sauce. This will help it melt faster and create a smoother texture.

Making Nacho Cheese Sauce: The Ingredients

The perfect nacho cheese sauce is a combination of creamy, tangy, and salty flavors. To achieve this, you will need the following ingredients:

Steps to Make Nacho Cheese Sauce

Now that you have all the ingredients ready let’s move towards the steps to cook nacho cheese sauce.

1. Melt Butter in a Saucepan

Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over medium heat.

2. Add Flour and Stir

Add 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour to the melted butter, stirring constantly until the mixture is smooth and bubbly.

3. Pour Milk and Bring to Boil

Gradually stir in one cup of whole milk. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture comes to a boil.

4. Add Cheese and Chillies

Reduce heat. Gradually add 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese and 1 cup of Monterey Jack cheese, stirring constantly until cheese is melted. Now add a can (4 ounces) of canned diced green chilies, 1 teaspoon of dry mustard, 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper and mix thoroughly.

5. Stir until Smooth and Creamy

Continue stirring until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Once the desired consistency is achieved, remove the saucepan from heat.

There you have it, the perfect nacho cheese sauce is ready to add to your nachos or to use as a dip for your favorite snacks. Enjoy!

Enjoy Your Homemade Nacho Cheese Sauce!

Making your own nacho cheese sauce is not only fun and easy, but it also tastes much better than the store-bought alternatives. Remember to experiment with different spices and flavors to create the perfect dip for your next snack attack. Thank you for taking the time to read this article and I hope you learned something new. Don’t forget to visit us again for more delicious recipes and tips! Happy snacking!